Cristian Michel García Gil, a 24-year-old Cuban holding the I-220A form, was released last Monday after being detained for five months by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The young man gained his freedom following a judge's approval of a habeas corpus petition in his favor, as reported by Univision News 23 on Wednesday.
Cristian arrived in the United States in July 2021. However, on December 12, 2025, he was apprehended during a traffic stop on Miami’s Calle 8 while riding his motorcycle to work, despite having a valid work permit and driver's license.
"I don't have a criminal record in this country. I've always done more than what's expected," Cristian stated to journalist Javier Díaz. However, he noted that this is not enough for those who crossed the border illegally and possess the I-220A document.
Challenges Faced During Detention
During his five-month detention, Cristian was transferred through seven different immigrant holding facilities.
"The moment of my arrest was tough. I called my family, and they couldn't believe it, nobody could. It was really sad," he recounted.
Instead of giving up, Cristian worked in the detention center's kitchen and crafted keychains from soup carton boxes, selling them for $10 each to fund calls to his loved ones. His family also covered attorney fees.
Hope Amid Uncertainty
"My family always told me: 'Have faith, you will make it. As long as you're here with us, you will keep fighting,'" Cristian shared.
Though he lost his political asylum case, Cristian appealed the decision, and the judge granted the habeas corpus, allowing him to leave with an electronic ankle monitor and reunite with his family at the Miami airport.
His case is part of a series of I-220A Cuban releases through habeas corpus in recent months, although not all have been successful, with some individuals facing deportation.
The I-220A and Its Impact
The I-220A form is an ICE Order of Supervision permitting migrants to remain on conditional release while their case is processed, but it does not grant legal status or access to the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, a historical path to permanent residency.
It's estimated that approximately 400,000 Cubans in the U.S. live in this immigration limbo, most having arrived between 2021 and 2024.
Since the beginning of the second Trump administration, ICE has intensified the detention of individuals holding this document, including during routine appointments that were previously administrative in nature.
In March 2025, at least 18 Cubans were arrested under these circumstances in South Florida.
Legal Pathways for Other Cuban Detainees
Other young Cubans have also been released from detention through similar legal avenues.
Daniel Alejandro Escobar Rodríguez was freed in February after nearly three months in custody, and Iván García Pérez, a 26-year-old nurse, was released in January via habeas corpus with a bond of $1,500.
Cristian must regularly report to immigration authorities while waiting for a judge to decide on his asylum case appeal.
His message to the thousands of Cubans facing the same uncertainty was clear: "Don't give up, don't sign away your rights, because as long as you're on U.S. soil, there is hope."
Understanding the I-220A Situation
What is the I-220A form?
The I-220A is an ICE Order of Supervision that allows migrants to stay on conditional release while their immigration case is processed. It does not provide legal status or access to the Cuban Adjustment Act.
How did Cristian Michel García Gil gain his release?
Cristian was released after a judge approved a habeas corpus petition, allowing him to leave with an electronic monitoring device and reunite with his family.
Why are many Cubans living in immigration limbo?
Many Cubans are in immigration limbo due to the I-220A form, which does not grant legal status, leaving them without access to the Cuban Adjustment Act and subject to intensified ICE detentions.